Board created under public law 1864, Chapter 511, “An Act to Provide for Paying Certain Drafted Men Certain Bounties & Commutation, and to pay for Substitutes for Drafted Men” approved March 24th, was charged with examined claims and drawing orders upon the General Treasurer for the repayment of monies expended by individuals & municipalities for men drafted into the service of the United States under act of Congress approved March 3, 1864. The commission consisted of five members chosen from each county who were elected in grand committee by the General Assembly. They included, Samuel Church (chairman), Thomas A. Whitman (secretary), Joseph Osborn, George H. Olney & Jonathan C. Tower. Meeting twenty one times, the Commission processed 1,061 claims totaling $294,685.00 in refunded monies by the State of Rhode Island. Author: Kenneth S. Carlson

Records of the Board of Commutation Commission meeting to examine claims and draw orders upon the General Treasurer for the repayment of monies expended by individuals & municipalities for Rhode Island men drafted into the service of the United States under act of Congress approved March 3, 1864. Includes: